Reborn As Noble

"Very well…" Lioness said with a faint grin, raising his cup again before returning to his drinking contest with Veldrac, while Garius remained steady at his side.

Garius's sharp eyes followed Felicia's movement for only a moment before he gave a small signal with his hand. The battle maids stationed along the wall bowed instantly, stepping forward.

"Escort her to the guest room," Garius commanded.

"Yes, my lord." The maids moved with silent precision.

Felicia turned slightly, her posture still refined, her voice soft yet firm.

"Ah… thank you for the concern, Lord Garius, but there is no need. I already have my own escort—"

Before she could finish, Lioness's voice cut through, carrying a father's authority.

"Just go with it, Felicia. We are guests in Garius's household today."

Felicia's lips pressed into the faintest line. After a pause, she lowered her gaze politely.

"...As you wish, Father."

Felicia bowed her head slightly toward Garius. "Lord Garius… I shall retire for tonight."

"Yes," Garius replied simply, his gaze unreadable as he watched her leave.

Felicia turned, her steps slow, graceful, every movement measured.

But as her eyes swept across the grand hall, she noted something immediately.

Mimi and Delya… not here.

Where did Mimi wander off to? And Delya, that brat… I'm certain she followed her.

She walked at an unhurried pace, her chin held high, skirts flowing elegantly behind her.

This is my first time visiting the Armand estate…

But Mimi and Delya lived here for three months, maybe longer, during their training. No doubt they already know the hidden ways and paths here.

Which means if I want to find Javier… I cannot walk blindly. I must be smarter than those two.

Meanwhile.

Mimi and Delya had already slipped quietly out from the grand hall, skirts brushing the corridor as they hurried along.

"Mimi!" Delya hissed, her voice sharp in a whisper.

"Nya? What?" Mimi turned her head, her golden tail flicking behind her with mischief.

"What if my brother notices I'm gone!?" Delya's eyes darted nervously, her voice low. "Big brother will be furious if he finds out—"

Mimi just smirked as she crossed her arms. "Then stay here. I'm going to find my husband, nya~"

Delya's face turned red. "He's my danna-sama! Not yours!"

Mimi stuck her tongue out, her smirk widening. "He's not yours alone, and besides, did you forget? We're not even the first or second wives. Those scary ones already have that spot."

Her tail flicked again as she lowered her voice with mock horror.

"You forgot about Liana and Gloria? Those monster boobs girls, nya~"

Delya puffed her cheeks, biting her lip in frustration.

Sniff, sniff. Mimi's ears twitched, her nose lifting slightly.

"NYA!!! I can sense him! I'm going!!!" she shouted, tail swishing with excitement.

"Mimi!!!" Delya hissed, rushing to catch her sleeve.

"It's not safe if we go without an escort!"

"Nya? I'm strong, you're strong," Mimi replied with a wide grin, tugging free.

"And besides...look around, nya! Father-in-law's estate is crawling with guards and people. Armand is the safest place in the whole kingdom!"

Her golden eyes gleamed mischievously as she stuck her tongue out. "So~ no problem. Alright! Byeeee~!"

"Mimi!!!" Delya hissed even longer this time, stamping her foot before darting after her.

"Ugh! You reckless cat!!!"

While Javier walked ahead, hands in his pockets, Liana and Gloria trailed just a step behind, keeping their eyes fixed on him.

Suddenly, Javier shuddered. His head turned slightly, his senses prickling.

I can feel them… twenty mana signatures. Split apart. Controlled precisely.

His eyes narrowed, scanning the surroundings without breaking stride.

From what I know… Delya can use that Phantom skill.

And Mimi...

Those two really managed to get this far, huh?

The faintest smirk tugged at his lips. But now… which one's the real Mimi?

The air around him shifted. They weren't trying to attack. But he hated what came next...

Ugh… I hate being tackled and hugged.

Javier's sharp eyes caught the blur of movement.

One figure lunging straight for him. He pivoted, ready to slip away.

He winced as another body slammed into him from the side, knocking him slightly off balance.

"OOOFF!!!"

He winced as another body slammed into him from the side, knocking him slightly off balance.

"Husband!!!" Mimi's voice rang out, sweet and loud as she clung tightly around his torso.

She buried her face against him and sniffed.

"Nya as usual… you smell so nice, nya!"

Javier sighed, his lips twitching between irritation and resignation.

Damn cat… slipped in from the side this time.

Behind him, Liana and Gloria froze. Their smiles vanished. Their eyes darkened instantly, a sharp aura leaking off both at once.

"...Mimi." Liana's voice was low, calm, but trembling with restrained anger.

Gloria adjusted her glasses slowly, her tone soft but chilling.

"Ara… it seems a little cat has forgotten her manners."

"NYA!!! Monster BOOBS!!!" Mimi yelped, pointing straight at Gloria with wide eyes.

Gloria's smile froze, her glasses sliding slightly down her nose as her aura sharpened.

Before the tension could explode, another voice echoed.

"Mimi!!"

Delya came running, slightly out of breath, her small horns glinting under the moonlight. She skidded to a stop beside them, panting hard, then her eyes landed on Javier.

"Ah… Danna-sama~!"

Without hesitation, she leapt forward and threw her arms around him, hugging him tightly.

"Danna-sama! Danna-sama! Danna-sama!" she repeated breathlessly, her voice filled with joy, clinging.

Javier let out a long sigh, caught between Mimi hanging on his side and Delya squeezing him from the front. Great… one cat, one demon. Just what I needed tonight.

"How unsightful."

Felicia's calm voice cut through the night, soft yet cold, as she approached with her fan half-raised in her hand.

Mimi froze mid-hug, her golden ears twitching. She turned her head, her tail flicking in irritation.

Felicia's eyes narrowed slightly, her graceful steps unhurried.

"Mimi… did you forget you are a Beastkin royal princess?"

"Huh!? Who cares about that, neesan! You're strict even here!" Mimi puffed her cheeks, still clinging stubbornly to Javier's arm.

Felicia tilted her head faintly, snapping her fan open with a quiet snap. Her serene smile didn't waver.

"Hmm? Says the girl who, despite being a princess, climbs statues in town, climbs trees like a child, and speaks without a shred of grace."

Mimi's tail shot up, her face red. "Nya! That's different!"

Javier sighed.

Here we go…

( End Of Chapter )